MLB Picks

MLB Picks No Overboard Odds Set For These Struggling Pitchers - Well Priced Line Offers Value On Total

As Texas gets prepared for the postseason Oakland looks to finish the year on a respectable note. Both pitchers on the mound today for these two teams have struggled recently but odds makers have not gone overboard with the total.

Have oddsmakers set this total correctly across the board or will the offenses come alive today in Oakland?

Texas RangersCole Hamels gets the start for Texas and comes in with a 3.42 ERA and 1.32 whip but at 6.39 ERA versus Oakland in two starts this season. On his numbers alone you would think odds makers would have this total a little bit higher than how they have it set today but Hamels has been really good on the road this season with a 2.57 ERA and batters hitting just .214 against him. Oakland is more of a pitcher friendly park which should help Hamels who definitely needs a good outing after getting shelled three out of his last four starts. On closer look, he has just been that type of pitcher this year either been lights out or getting hit really hard having allowed 15 earned runs in his past three starts but just 26 earned in his 10 previous to that. At the plate Texas has had their own struggles on a few occasions the last several games averaging just three runs per game their last five.

Oakland AthleticsKendall Graveman gets the start for Oakland and comes in with a 4.21 ERA and 1.33 whip but a 3.35 ERA at home this season. This a good spot for him to bounce back from getting hit pretty hard in Texas his last start last week where he allowed four earned runs off of seven hits in just over five innings of work versus the Rangers. On closer look, he has been a lot like Hamels either hot or cold having allowed 12 earned runs in his last two starts, but just 25 total earned in his previous 10 contests. I don't expect for him to get hit as much as he did in Texas with a little bit of revenge on his mind and the fact he has pitched well at home this season. Offensively Oakland has had their moments over their past 10 games but overall they still rank 24th, 26th, and 28th, in batting average, runs scored, and OPS respectively.

Texas Rangers vs Oakland AthleticsOddsmakers have come out with what I think is a pretty low total at 8. For my MLB pick, though I'm going to back under this total as I like for both pitchers to come in and throw well. You can get pretty good odds on under the total, click here first so you can check which sportsbooks are best ranked and the bonuses they offer. Expect both pitchers to get quality starts in this matchup.